Honda’s CEO Takanobu Ito has said he sees Korean manufacturer Hyundai as a huge threat to the future of Japanese automakers.

The Korean firm has seen strong sales growth across the world in the last few years and it is currently the top selling manufacturer in Britain for retail sales.

“Hyundai is awesome,” said Takanobu. “They are undoubtedly a threat because their products are cheap, and the quality is improving.”

Hyundai and its sister firm Kia have been successful across Europe and America in various scrappage incentive schemes. Smaller models such as the i10, i20 and i30 have proved particularly popular.

Takanobu’s comments have also been echoed by designer Shiro Nakamura from Nissan.

“Hyundai is the biggest threat for the Japanese automakers,” he said. “They have the technology, but they seem to have cheaper labour.”

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=243787

Japanese are spooked by Koreans. There was friction between both Korean and Japan for over 100 years. Seems now car war will erupt between both. Hyundai is a very large company. Recently I had a ride in a Hyundai Vera Cruz SUV, which on its quality side rivals Lexus RX series, and is 10-15 K less expensive. I want to see how latest generation of Hyundai holds up. Only thing I do not like about Hyundai is their vehicle colors. Hyundai has some really ugly colors, one I am thinking of is a mustard green. Regards

Richard

I love it. Keep on commin' Hyundai.

I love being right :)

Most of the reviews I've read on Hyundais say basically the same thing, they've come a very long way in a short time and they're definitely heading in the right direction. They still aren't up to the level of Honda or Toyota yet, but it's not going to be long before they are, and the leadership at Honda and Toyota, especially Toyota since their ratings are starting to slip, have plenty of reason to be nervous.

They are making a move ,for sure...The present generation
Sante Fe is georgous...the old one looked like a subway car!

Honda is slipping fast

Honda is slipping fastOnly in the looks department (especially with Acura). Okay, and their ergonomics of late, what with button-crazy dashes. Hyundai's still a little homely, too - take the Genesis Coupe, front end on that thing is almost as ugly as Acura's chrome beaks. But Honda still has it where it counts - mechanically and in their reliability ratings.

The question isn't "When is the quality of Hyundai going to improve?". It's "When is everybody not going to think of a Hyundai as still a Hyundai?"

Only in the looks department (especially with Acura). Okay, and their ergonomics of late, what with button-crazy dashes. Hyundai's still a little homely, too - take the Genesis Coupe, front end on that thing is almost as ugly as Acura's chrome beaks. But Honda still has it where it counts - mechanically and in their reliability ratings.
you havent driven an 8th then i assume. mechanics are fine so far, but fit in finish is complete trash

Nice to see the Honda Chief being HONEST about his views. Esp compared to other CEO's in corporate America. This should help light the fire under Honda/Toyota.